Optimum Reports Ltd is one of the market leaders in pupil assessment software now serving over 1500 primary schools nationwide. Working with individual schools, consortiums, Clusters and Multi-Academy Trusts nationwide, I have helped grow the company from just over 900 schools up to 1600 within 2 years. I led and supported a team of account managers that were responsible for Business growth. This role allowed me to utilise my strong communication skills to liaise with colleagues and customers consisting Leaders of schools, Multi Academy Trusts, Local Authority representatives• Handling customer queries and responding in a timely manner• Responsible for managing customer expectations through the course of a query• Holding initial face to face, telephone and online consultations with clients to explore their needs• Adapt and manage the customer account to suit the needs of the customer• Account manage large portfolio of clients• Maintain, monitor and administrate client database of over 1500 customers• Generating sales leads and negotiating contracts both short and long term• Manage and coach a team of Training and Sales Advisors• Hold appraisal meetings with each team member to determine training needs and discuss individual performance• Develop and deploy training policies and procedures• Face to face on site training both 1 on 1 and large groups• Online webinar presentations to variable sized audiences• Ensure data protection policies are followed at all times• Occasionally working outside of contracted hours in order to complete tasks.• Attend regular senior leadership meetings in order to communicate business performance and create & amend strategies

Set up Doncaster Theatre Company, a social enterprise by category, but a thriving business nonetheless. Since its inception, DTC has performed multiple shows to audiences of over 500 per show, brought in advertising revenues and been a platform for people wishing to engage in creative arts. The revenue from ticket sales for each show has been over £10k. This enterprise is run by myself on a freelance basis and supported by a board of members. • Cascading event news and production progress to committee members• Financial cash-flow of the business • Networking and engaging with the community • Event organisation • Marketing, publicity and design • Recruiting of board members and production operatives• Conducting primary and secondary research into competitors • Developing and maintaining the Doncaster Theatre Company website• Script writing

Employment & Self-Employment Advisor, Welfare to Work Programme, DoncasterDelivering Life skill training to unemployed job seekers. Liaising with external organisations to enhance candidates’ skills & qualifications to get them job ready. Delivering business support to Pre-start and Start-up business individuals as well as to established businesses looking to expand. As their business advisor, I have an understanding of key issues affecting Doncaster businesses, providing them with relevant advice and support. • Hosting groups research sessions with candidates to ensure they had equal access to resources.• Assisting clients with cv and letter writing.• Working closely with clients developing their interview techniques and communication skills.• Leading a team of employment advisors.• Conducting performance management meetings and discussing individual development.• Seeking own development opportunities.• Attending board meeting to discuss team performance against company projections• Holding initial meetings with individual clients to explore their business ideas and analyse their needs to get them job ready• Assisting pre-start clients prepare their initial business plans, providing help and advice on all aspects including finance, pricing, sales and marketing• Assisting clients to calculate their start-up costs and funding requirements then providing advice about the funding packages and financial support available to meet their needs.• Working closely with clients at start up stage to ensure once established they put in place the relevant financial controls and measures as well as helping them set up internal systems such as book keeping and stock control.

October 2002 – November 2010 Service Support Manager, Royal Mail, Barnsley During eight years at Royal Mail, covered a number of roles and worked to liaise with various departments which included Postcode Helpline, Post Office enquiries, Royal Mail products and Services, Online Business Account, Finance Helpline and Project Management Office.• Managing a team of 11 members of staff, duties included: implementing training and development plans, setting individual targets and monitoring performance, undertaking appraisals, dealing with HR issues as well as health and safety• Using a variety of in-house IT systems and Microsoft packages for the monthly collation of team results, activities and achievements for inclusion in the reports prepared for senior management• Liaising with staff at all levels in order to introduce “have your say” surveys which involved collating and analysing staff opinions in order to provide feedback to senior management about the ways to improve the working environment within all Royal Mail offices• Qualified to Royal Mail’s internal tutor standard to write and deliver training material on new systems and procedures to staff at all levels• Frequent undertaking of presentations to external customers• Liaising with other areas of the Royal Mail to resolve management and customer queries • Sharing knowledge and best practice• Maintaining strict standards and service level agreements within tight deadlines• Organising corporate events and hospitality for Directors, Senior management and Middle managers

Starting as a trainee chef and ending up as a “team leader” gave insight and experience in staffing, training and overall management. Became responsible for staff development and training, Health and safety and Health and Hygiene of the establishment. Worked with other personnel to develop menus and demanding levels of customer service